Arthur’s death feels like the end of an era for Holton Hall Park. I knew him for the 10 years I was there, 2009 to 2019. For 7 of those years I was site manager there, and I know I could not have been effective without him. He taught me an enormous amount. He was my go to person for any advice on the Park. He not only knew all corners of the park, he knew who to contact to get something fixed, he knew the history of the park and the people who created it. I never knew him speak ill of anyone.
From the notes of the history of the Park, that Arthur helped me collate, and from Stephen here is some background to Arthur and in particular his role on the Park.
Arthur was born in Ilketshall Saint Andrew. His farther famed with horses on a farm at Ilketshall, owned by Godfreys, who still own the farm today. Arthur grew up here and worked on the farm – mainly with cattle then. However, he left farming for a few years and worked for Cooks at Beccles, a building company, where he learned that useful trade. He returned to farming when married Gwen Bareham, working at her family farm along the Holton airfield. Arthur had the main shed built on the airfield, which he inherited and with foresight diversified into renting space. In the 1990s, farming in Suffolk faced a perfect storm of sky-high interest rates, plummeting farm incomes. As county heavily dependent on arable crops (like wheat and sugar beet) and intensive livestock (pigs and dairy), Suffolk felt the brunt of what became one of the bleakest decades for modern British agriculture. When the chance came to work at Holton Hall Park, it was natural fit for Arthur, who was familiar with land, and also building.
It is due to Chris Sutherland that we had the valuable services of Arthur and his son Stephen for over 25 years.
Christopher and Joan Sutherland (Unit 31 Sleepy Valley) came to the park in 1984, purchasing their unit for £8,000, from the original sale organised by J H Chancellor, then the site manager. BlueBird Super Guardian was the name of the Park then.
Along with Irene and John Dodge, the Sutherlands were drinkers at the Triple
Plea. It was a good pub then and Arthur used to go there. Chris met Arthur when they had a problem with the tractor the Fordson. They’d had numerous quotes, all expensive and entailing complex work. Arthur however, found and solved the problem simply and mechanically up at his Yard. From then on Chris employed Arthur as the Parks contractor.
We think it was around 2000 that Arthur and Stephen started working 2-3 days a week for the Park. Often working with Chris Sutherland these are the some of the works we know Arthur carried out. The Park used Arthurs tractor and truck – no payment was ever received. And he gave all his tools.
All the type 1 roads, for example Sleepy Valley, were laid by Arthur.
He did much work with the Silt Trap, realising it’s importance – and our records show show the following
- 2002 Silt Trap removal of silt to ditch by hand with Arthur and Stephen
Pipe from the silt trap to the lake – dug and laid by Mark Woolnaugh
Cherry picker rented to aid the trimming back of all branches across the roadways on the park
2003 Arthur, Marion Barns and Joan Sutherland removed small trees and shrub from the grassland on east side
2004 lake maintenance by Arthur
Arthur cut the meadow for years, when in the days we were paid for the hay from a farmer in Long Stratton. Chris was always around for this, as he loved this work.
2003 400 bales of hay recovered by Arthur Sutherlands, Aldridge, Remblance.
Arthurs 100 bales @50- £50
2004 Arthur organised for the hay to be cut £157.50 minus £60 advertising. Hay 80p per bale. Mr Smith took 300 bales
2005 Arthur Ling on contract and Stephen Ling employed
2006 Hay income 400
Stephen was taken on the books in 2005, but Arthur kept on working on an ad hoc basis and for many of us, Arthur sorted out our individual unit problems. Or he knew someone who could. In 2010 when we were suddenly without a Site Manger, Arthur was appointed as temporary Site Manager.
Of course, Arthur did have a life outside of the park. Arthur and Gwen had two children, Stephen of course, and Mandy. Mandy has one daughter Kayleigh and Stephen has 3 children, Georgia, Hayden, Rubymae.
He was very involved with Halesworth Football and was the Manager and then Secretary for a period of time.
He loved his garden and growing vegetables (tomatoes, runner beans etc) and flowers.
He was very fond of his dogs Lhasa Apso, Billy the last one.
After I bought my wood, (Kaliwood), Arthur and Stephen came to help me put a gate post in and this is the only photograph I have of Arthur.
I still here is even voice, giving clear sound Suffolk advice. I am enormously grateful to have known him. And thank you for this opportunity to share some of his story with you.
Rachel Kellett
